India launches mega database project

Government hopes project will lead to easy identification of people, but activists worry about privacy issues.

26 Oct 2011 13:13 GMT

India is creating the world's largest database that will help identify every person in one of the world's most populous nations.

The information gathered will include a photograph and finger prints. For many of the 100 million people already registered in the system, the free and voluntary ID cards will also help them in basic pragmatic matters of life, like opening up bank accounts.

However, with no clear cut legislation on privacy, advocates worry such a large public database could be used to target and track unsuspecting millions.